ASEAN and Brazil reaffirmed their commitment to intensify the partnership for mutual benefit at the Second ASEAN-Brazil Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (AB-JSCC) Meeting held at the ASEAN Headquarters.
Senior officials from ASEAN and Brazil acknowledged the significant progress attained under the ASEAN-Brazil Sectoral Dialogue Partnership since its inception last year. Both sides noted the practical initiatives undertaken by ASEAN and Brazil as well as the increased high-level visits from Brazil to the region over the past year, mirrored the latter’s commitment in promulgating the partnership. The meeting adopted the ASEAN-Brazil Sectoral Dialogue Partnership: Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) (2024-2028), which will serve as a guide for both sides in pursuing practical, visible and tangible cooperation and collaboration for the next five years.
The meeting exchanged views on the future direction of the ASEAN-Brazil Sectoral Dialogue Partnership and underlined the importance of galvanising capacity building efforts and sharing of best practices in the areas such as climate change, renewable energy, agriculture, food and nutritional security, health, and science, technology and innovation.
The meeting also addressed other areas ranging from countering terrorism and transnational crime, promoting peace, advancing women, peace and security, enhancing trade and investment ties as well as furthering collaboration on education and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
ASEAN and Brazil touched upon key regional and international issues of common interest and concern, and highlighted the importance of ASEAN-led mechanisms and ASEAN Centrality in maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.
The 2nd AB-JSCC Meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Ekkaphab Phanthavong and Special Envoy of Brazil to ASEAN Piragibe Tarragô.
Members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives as well as the Brazilian delegation were in attendance. Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, Natércia Coelho da Silva, also attended as an observer.
Source: Asean
